Elaine C. Smith, who will play the role of Susan Boyle in the U.K. tour of I Dreamed a Dream, the new musical about Boyle's life, will be joined by James Paterson and Karen Mann as Pat and Bridie Boyle, her parents; with Ashleigh Gray as Lorraine Campbell, Susan's childhood friend; Jeffrey Harmer as Andy Stephens, Susan's manager; and Liz Ewing as Mrs Johnstone, Susan's school teacher.

Susan Boyle and Elaine C. Smith

The production begins performances at Newcastle's Theatre Royal March 23, prior to an official opening March 27, then tours to Aberdeen, Bradford, Liverpool, Dublin, Bristol, Southend, Cardiff, Birmingham, Inverness and Manchester.

According to press materials, the musical tells the story of Susan Boyle's life, from her birth (and the hand which life dealt her) up to the present day. From her humble beginnings of being born into a large working class family in central Scotland, and sharing a three-bedroomed council house with a family of ten, she has become a global star and an inspiration to millions — a woman who beat the odds and changed the way the world looked at people.

Other roles will be played by Gordon Cooper, Anne Smith, Frances Mayli McCann, David Haydn and Alan McHugh, the latter of whom co-wrote I Dreamed a Dream alongside Elaine C Smith. Susan Boyle will be making special guest appearances during the run of the show.

It is directed by Ed Curtis, choreographed by Nick Winston, designed by Morgan Large, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Richard Brooker, video design by Jack James with musical supervision and orchestrations by Kennedy Aitchinson. It is produced by Michael Harrison.

For full details on the tour, including dates and booking information, visit www.susanboylemusical.com